Rep. Jamie Raskin, a senior Democrat from Maryland, has issued a strong warning to foreign governments that align themselves with former President Donald Trump.
In a recent podcast interview, Raskin said that Democrats will not “look kindly” upon international leaders who cooperate with Trump’s controversial deportation strategies or support what he calls authoritarian practices.
Speaking on the “Pod Save America” podcast, Raskin said that when Democrats regain power, they should hold such foreign governments accountable for aiding Trump’s administration in actions that undermine democratic values.
The remarks were particularly directed at El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has worked closely with Trump on immigration and deportation policies.
Raskin, who is the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, expressed concern over Bukele’s collaboration with Trump in deporting suspected gang members to El Salvador’s massive high-security prison facility. Raskin made it clear that these countries are, in his view, enabling dangerous actions that weaken American democracy and threaten the rule of law.
The core of Raskin’s frustration centers on Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely invoked law that allows the president to deport certain individuals deemed threats during times of war.
Under this law, Trump has authorized deportations outside the traditional immigration process, including sending suspected gang members directly to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. The prison is known for its harsh conditions and is often criticized by human rights groups.
Although these deportations have so far involved undocumented immigrants, Trump has reportedly considered the possibility of deporting U.S. citizens with violent criminal records to foreign countries.
This suggestion has alarmed legal experts and members of Congress like Raskin, who argue that it represents a major legal and ethical red flag.
Raskin took issue with Bukele’s recent statements during his visit to the U.S. White House, where Bukele claimed he could not send back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deportee who was returned to El Salvador despite past threats against his life.
Garcia, a Salvadoran national who had entered the U.S. illegally in 2011, was protected from deportation by a 2019 U.S. court ruling citing gang threats.
However, the Trump administration deported him anyway last month, and U.S. officials initially labeled the move as a mistake. Later, they stood by the decision, saying Garcia had ties to MS-13, a claim his legal team strongly denies.
Raskin argued that Bukele’s claim of lacking the authority to return Garcia was misleading. According to Raskin, El Salvador received $6 million from the U.S. under this arrangement and thus has the legal and moral responsibility to cooperate with any requests to correct deportation errors. He called the arrangement dubious and said Bukele was acting as an agent of the U.S. government in this situation.
Raskin also suggested that the U.S. should consider withdrawing aid to El Salvador as a consequence of this cooperation, adding that Democrats need to be clear in their messaging to international partners.
He emphasized that supporting Trump in such controversial deportation schemes would not be forgotten or forgiven when the political power shifts.
In the same interview, Raskin called for broader efforts to build international cooperation among like-minded democratic leaders. He said the Democratic Party should lead in forming global alliances that aim to protect democratic institutions and oppose authoritarianism. Raskin warned that without such unity, democratic nations risk falling into what he described as “fascist chaos.”
Raskin has often been one of Trump’s fiercest critics in Congress.
He played a prominent role in past impeachment efforts and has defended the Biden family in recent Republican-led investigations. Known for his background as a constitutional law professor, Raskin didn’t hold back in calling the current state of American politics a “gangster state.” He said that the country is at risk of sliding into dictatorship and that Democrats must do everything they can to stop it.
He also questioned the legal and moral foundation of sending people, especially U.S. citizens, to foreign prisons. Raskin asked whether it would ever be acceptable, or even legal, to send someone like Donald Trump himself to a foreign prison, given his criminal indictments. Though the question was rhetorical, it highlighted the gravity of Raskin’s concerns about Trump’s legal policies and their long-term consequences.
Beyond the legal debates, Raskin said that Democrats should see themselves as leaders of a national movement to stop the erosion of democratic norms in America.
He believes the party must not only oppose Trump politically but also work to repair the democratic institutions that have been damaged.
Raskin’s comments also extended to criticism of powerful tech leaders like Elon Musk and others in Silicon Valley. According to Raskin, some of these individuals have lost faith in democracy and promote the idea that America’s constitutional system is no longer functional. He warned that this mindset is dangerous and plays directly into the hands of those who want to weaken democratic accountability.
His statements come as Democrats ramp up efforts to draw a sharp contrast between their values and Trump’s approach to governance. The 2024 election cycle is expected to intensify the focus on immigration, criminal justice, and foreign policy—areas where Trump and Biden’s visions differ sharply. Raskin’s strong words signal that Democrats are not only preparing for a domestic political battle but are also watching closely how other nations interact with Trump’s policies.
As political tensions rise ahead of the next election, Raskin’s comments reflect a deeper anxiety among Democrats about the long-term direction of U.S. democracy.
Whether or not his warnings will change the behavior of foreign governments remains to be seen, but the message is clear: alliances formed during Trump’s time in power will be scrutinized if Democrats regain control in Washington.